Travel For Free With A Credit Card: How To Redeem Rewards For Flights

Like it or not, you need to do your homework in order to maximize your rewards.

By Denise Bay, on Jun 25 2019

It is possible to travel for free with your credit card rewards. The way to navigating this exciting realm of potentially free travel starts from you having the right information on how you can do just that. Before you rush off dreaming up where you would like to fly to with your free air ticket, make sure to do your homework; compare and maximize your credit card rewards regardless if your rewards are in the form of air miles, rewards points or cash back.

Each rewards credit card is different, as is the rewards program your credit card is participating in. Some rewards credit cards offer lots of flexibility and options so you are free to redeem your rewards for travel through your credit card company's travel portal, merchandise, statement credits, cash back or have your rewards points transferred to participating hotel or airline loyalty programs. Others, on the contrary, may be quite restrictive.

Keypoint: You need to know how much each reward point of yours is worth depending on the way you redeem them. Additionally, keep an eye out on award availability.

In general, redeeming for cash back is not the best thing you can do with your rewards points. Redeeming for travel through your credit card company's travel portal could be an easy way for you to enjoy free travel without having to worry much about blackout dates (usually during and around major holidays as well as heavy travel seasons) and restrictions. Read the terms of your program carefully!

Depending on the credit card you hold, your rewards points could be worth more when you redeem for travel, say, through Chase Ultimate Rewards than if you were to transfer them to the participating airline partners' frequent flyer programs at a 1:1 ratio.

If you hold a rewards credit card that lets you transfer your rewards points or miles to a participating airline frequent flyer program, always make it a point to ask yourself if it's worth it for you to redeem for travel this way or if you're better off redeeming for travel through your credit card company's travel portal.

That said, the cool thing is you could potentially pool your rewards earned across different cards into one single airline frequent flyer program. Check if this is a feasible option for you - if it is, you have more miles to play around with and that could translate into more free flights in coach or even that luxurious First Class seat you've been dreaming of sinking your bottoms into!

While it may seem tedious or troublesome, it pays to do a little homework to see which redemption method gives your points a better run for your money. Keep in mind you still have to fork out money to pay for things like taxes and fees despite redeeming an award ticket.

Also, if you choose to transfer your rewards points or miles to a participating airline frequent flyer program, know that the terms of your frequent flyer program will apply to your air miles sitting in that account. This could mean that your air miles will expire if you don't use them up in time, as opposed to leaving your rewards points or miles as they are in your credit card's rewards program account if they do not have an expiry date to begin with.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel

Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.

Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That's 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.

Zero Fraud Liability protects you if your card is ever lost or stolen. Rest easy knowing you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges.

Access your account easily from your computer, smartphone, or tablet at CreditOneBank.com or the Credit One Bank Mobile App. You can make payments, see recent transactions, and update your account preferences all at the click of a button.

Carry a card that makes you smile by choosing from over 20 unique card designs in Credit One Bank's card gallery. A fee may apply.

Editorial Disclosure: Any personal views and opinions expressed by the author in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of GET.com. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Editorial Disclosure: Any personal views and opinions expressed by the author in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of GET.com. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Editorial Disclosure: Any personal views and opinions expressed by the author in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of GET.com. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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